Tag Archives: horlock

Think you can do better than this Prove it! Smartphone snappers get FA Cup chance at Wembley

By
Alex Horlock

PUBLISHED:

10:11 GMT, 10 April 2013

|

UPDATED:

11:06 GMT, 10 April 2013

A Newcastle fan tweeted a snap of Papiss Cisse leaping into the stands to celebrate his stoppage-time winner against Fulham on Sunday which eased the Toon Army’s relegation fears.

Jonny Robson, from South Shields, has received praise galore on Twitter after taking the extraordinary photo of the wild scenes at St James’ Park – and has even been messaged by Cisse himself and Gary Lineker.

But it may just be the first of many. Smartphones will battle with long lenses at The FA Cup this weekend as, for the first time, some of the web’s best amateur photographers are given the same level of accreditation as their professional counterparts.

Amateur This photograph of Papiss Cisse was tweeted by a Newcastle fan after his last-minute winner

Winner: Cisse struck late in the game to sink Fulham at St James' Park at the weekend

Impressed: Cisse tweeted about the picture after seeing it on the social networking site

FA Cup sponsor Budweiser will select 'Phoneographers' – amateur photographers who shoot solely on smartphones – to become the tournament’s first official social reporters capturing, editing and sharing all the action from the semi-finals.

The lucky Phoneographers will shoot pitch-side alongside professional sports photographers, getting a perspective of the game that an amateur photographer can only dream about.

The Phoneographer’s images will be shared on Twitter under the hashtag #tothedream.

Stiff competition: There have been some stunning pictures in this season's FA Cup, including Demba Ba's goal

In focus: The 'phoneographers' will get the chance to capture images of the likes of Manchester City's Carlos Tevez

Iain Newell, Budweiser’s UK Marketing Director, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be bringing these avid football and photography fans closer to the game they love in a way they can share with other fans in stadium and at home.

It reflects the changing way people get their football updates and our desire to bring the magic of The FA Cup even closer to the fans, which social media certainly has the potential to do.’

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: Follow the action from around the grounds as it happens

By
Dan Ripley

PUBLISHED:

04:00 GMT, 2 February 2013

|

UPDATED:

14:18 GMT, 2 February 2013

Live scores (3pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Arsenal v Stoke

Everton v Aston Villa

Newcastle v Chelsea

Reading v Sunderland

West Ham v Swansea

Wigan v Southampton

Click here for the live Premier League table

All the latest from the Championship

All the latest from League One

All the latest from League Two

All the latest from the SPL

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as Newcastle host Chelsea in one of six games kicking off at 3pm.

Arsenal will hope to put pressure on those above them in the table for a Champions League spot when they host Stoke, including Everton who welcome struggling Aston Villa.

Reading will hope their late heroics against Chelsea midweek can spur them on to three points against Sunderland at the Madejski Stadium.

West Ham bid to end a run of six games without a win when they take on Swansea, while Wigan and Southampton hope to boost their respective top flight survival hopes when they clash at the DW Stadium.

Send me your thoughts on the action at [email protected] or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

14.10: Also worth a few minutes of your time before kick-off at 3pm is the latest column from Sportsmail's Martin Samuel, who answered back to YOUR responses surrounding Chelsea's Eden Hazard and the ball boy/teenager.

14.05: QPR were the first team to field their deadline day signings. And you can see how Chris Samba and Andros Townsend are fairing on their debuts for the Hoops by clicking here to follow our live coverage of QPR v Norwich with Alex Horlock. We are into the second half at Loftus Road.

14.00: Afternoon folks. You may have noticed that all of the matches over the next two days are the reverse fixtures from the second weekend of the season.

Since then we've seen the closure of two transfer windows so if your team has not signed that holding midfielder or star striker that you badly needed even back in the summer then that's too bad.

If your side was busy up until the 11pm deadline on Thursday then this is the first chance to see the potential deadline day stars that could just save your season. Either way today's team news is coming up.

Gunning for three points: Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Chelsea are in action from 3pm

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: QPR v Norwich – follow the action from Loftus Road as it happens

By
Alex Horlock

PUBLISHED:

04:00 GMT, 2 February 2013

|

UPDATED:

12:16 GMT, 2 February 2013

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as QPR host Norwich at Loftus Road to begin the weekend's action. The rock bottom Hoops boosted their squad in the January transfer window and take on Chris Hughton's Canaries who are without a league win in seven games.

12.16: As results have gradually improved under Redknapp at QPR, Norwich have slipped a little in recent fixtures. But the Canaries bounced back from a 5-0 hammering at Anfield by drawing 1-1 at home to Tottenham.

12.10: So Samba and Townsend start, but Loic Remy and Nedum Onuoha will play no part in the match.

12.05: Redknapp will surely be targeting a win today. After a tricky run of games, including the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham, QPR will be keen to pile the pressure on fellow strugglers.

Should Rangers win this afternoon, they'll move within one point of Aston Villa, who face Everton at Goodison Park at 3.00pm.

12.00: Good afternoon all. There could be a few new boys making their debuts in this afternoon's early kick-off. Luciano Becchio could start up front for Norwich, as Harry Redknapp could use Jermaine Jenas, Andros Townsend and Christopher Samba – if he's fit.

The Congolese centre half joined from Anzhi for a record 12.5million on deadline day and Redknapp will be hoping Samba can keep Norwich out if he deputises at the heart of the basement boys' defence.

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: West Brom v Aston Villa – as it happens from the Hawthorns

By
Alex Horlock

PUBLISHED:

04:00 GMT, 19 January 2013

|

UPDATED:

17:06 GMT, 19 January 2013

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as West Brom host Aston Villa at the Hawthorns to conclude Saturday''s action. The Baggies will hope three points in the Midlands derby can kick start their push for European football next season, while Paul Lambert will hope victory can ease the pressure on his relegation threatened team.

17.02: We've had a hectic afternoon of top class Premier League action, but it isn't over yet. There's a Midlands derby to look forward to as Aston Villa travel to rivals West Brom in their bid to stop the rot.

A day in the life of Mario… handed run-out for City's kids team, turns up laughing and joking, scores two goals, snubs hat-trick by rejecting TWO penalties and is then chauffeur-driven home!

By
Alex Horlock

PUBLISHED:

16:36 GMT, 7 January 2013

|

UPDATED:

17:14 GMT, 7 January 2013

Mario Balotelli was back in the goals for Manchester City in a surprise performance for the champions' Under 21 outfit – but he turned down the chance to score a hat-trick from the spot, twice.

The controversial striker returned to action for the senior squad on Saturday, when he replaced Edin Dzeko in the 71st minute in City's 3-0 FA Cup win over Watford.

The striker has been out of favour over the past month following a lacklustre showing in City's defeat to bitter rivals in the Manchester derby on December 9.

No 9: Mario Balotelli wore the iconic striker's number instead of 45, which he wears at senior level

Anybody there Balotelli scored twice in front of a modest crowd at Platt Lane

A dismal four weeks for the Italian came
to a head when he and manager Roberto Mancini wrestled with one another
in training, and, as revealed in Sportsmail, the City boss is prepared to sell his protege after finally losing patience with him.

But Mancini may have to think twice after a dazzling performance this afternoon.

After coolly jogging on to the pitch, sharing a joke with some of the fans at Platt Lane, the 22-year-old fired City into a 1-0 lead after half-time, having pounced on a defensive error.

With Balotelli leading the line, City
cruised past their opposition, and were soon 3-0 up after a second
goal from the striker.

The Italy international was then twice
handed golden opportunities to bag a hat-trick after his coolly despatched brace.

Future stars: The Italian lined up next to Manchester City's youngsters

Face in the crowd: Marcos Lopes, who scored City's third on Saturday, watched the match

Looking on: Oldham manager Paul Dickov was at Platt Lane watching two of his former clubs in action

City were awarded two penalties at 3-0 up, and Balotelli allowed his younger team-mates to try their hand from the spot.

Despite his perfect record from 12 yards out, having never missed a competitive penalty for club or country,
Balotelli first handed the reins to a young trialist, who missed the mark.

After City were awarded a second penalty, Balotelli allowed young Denis Suarez to have a pop.

The 19-year-old Spaniard stepped up
and killed the game off at 4-0 in front of a modest crowd including the
likes of Paul Dickov, Patrick Vieira and sporting director Txiki
Begiristain.

The selfless Balotelli was then chauffeur-driven from the ground.

Mancini will take solace from the fact that the former Inter Milan attacker is back to scoring ways.

The Italian coach has watched his
compatriot endure a miserable campaign so far, with Balotelli only
managing to score once in the Premier League this season.

With Sergio Aguero injured, Balotelli will be hoping play some part in City's trip to the Emirates this weekend in their bid to topple Arsenal.

However, Mancini stated that Balotelli's career at City was 'finished' after the corresponding fixture last season. The striker picked up two yellow cards and was dismissed as the visitors were beaten 1-0 by a Mikel Arteta strike.

Impressed: City's sporting director Txiki Begiristain was also at the match

Job done: The goalscorer left City in style as he climbed into a chauffeur-driven car

Peering out: Balotelli will be hoping to be included in City's trip to Arsenal this weekend

EUROPA LEAGUE LIVE: Young Boys v Liverpool and Maritimo v Newcastle – as it happens

|

UPDATED:

16:47 GMT, 20 September 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Europa League as Liverpool, Newcastle and Tottenham all begin their group stage campaigns. The Reds travel to Switzerland's Young Boys at 6pm, while Newcastle visit Portugal's Maritimo at the same time. Kicking off after at 8.05pm is Tottenham when they host Lazio at White Hart Lane.

17.45: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is without his two star Senegalese strikers. Papiss Cisse has withdrawn from the squad through illness, and Demba Ba has been left in Tyneside.

There has been talk of Ba's growing disillusioned at Newcastle after being played out of position or left on the bench. I wouldn't worry too much though, as a number of other senior players have been rested for their weekend clash against Norwich.

17.40: So we're just 20 minutes away from KO in the early two games between Maritimo and Newcastle and Young Boys and Liverpool. Both Premier League teams travelling away in their Europa League openers.

Both will be expected to win their games, but anything's possible in this old game…

17.37: In fact speaking of those two clubs, they have had one player in common over the years who sticks in the memory. Read Matt Barlow's recollection of one Paul Gascoigne's trip to Rome all those years ago…

17.35: So Spurs are kicking off a little later on at 20.05. Should be a tough opener for Villas-Boas in the Europa League with his new club.

The Portuguese boss has some pedigree in the competition, mind. He did win it with Porto in some style two years ago.

17.32: So here are the full Liverpool teams… A pretty inexperienced bunch including a couple of debutants.

17.28: So we've already had a thrilling week of European football. Thirsty for more Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal were all in action as goals a plenty were scored in the first games of the group stages.

Hopefully someone can pull out something special in these games. It'll take something REALLY good to better Oscar's peach last night against Juventus. If you haven't seen it already, get watching. Goal of the season so far for me.

17.22: Here's some interesting news: Joey Barton will start for Marseille! The QPR bad boy is on loan, and hasn't played in a competitive match since being sent off after a series of offences in Rangers' game against Manchester City on the final day of last season. Watch this space…

The French side will be taking on Turkish team Fenerbahce. Hostile atmosphere is a certainty. Keep your cool, Joey.

Liverpool will be looking for a win after a rocky start in the Premier League and Spurs have a tricky one against Lazio. Newcastle, meanwhile, will be hoping to snatch a win away at Maritimo. Teams on the way.

European assault: Liverpool (left) and Newcastle open up their Europa League group stage campaigns

PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: West Ham v Fulham – the action from Upton Park as it happens

|

UPDATED:

10:56 GMT, 1 September 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as West Ham host Fulham at Upton Park in a London derby to kick-off the weekend's action. The Hammers will be aiming to bounce back from their 3-0 loss at Swansea last week when they take on Martin Jol's outfit.

11.41: Tough semi coming up for Jeffries. He'll be in lane seven and he has the likes of Sebastian Brendel to keep up with in the race.

Fingers crossed now everyone!

11.36: We're out of the kayaks for now and back in the canoes at Dorney Lake.

Ivan Shtyl takes the win in the first one in emphatic style. Angola's Nelson Henriques struggles again.

First he has his habitual lane problems at the start, and then he finishes emphatically in last.

He's like Eric the Eel but on the water rather than in it.

Richard Jeffries is up next…

11.31: Ed McKeever seemed pretty happy with how things have gone so far for him in the kayaking.

He said: 'It has been good. I have been on a good training camp, and I am looking forward to the final tomorrow.

'It has been really frustrating watching everyone else from Great Britain going out there and winning medals. Hopefully, I will have more to come for tomorrow.'

Quietly confident

11.25: Daniel Fogg will be hoping to do what Keri-Anne Payne failed to yesterday. Take a place on the podium in the 10km marathon at Hyde Park.

But the swimmer will have a tough job of it. As he's not amongst the medal favourites. Stranger things have happened of course…

He's in the Serpentine at midday.

11.23: McKeever smashes it in his semi-final. Warning shot successfully fired. De Jonge and Craviotto set a marker in their race, and McKeever was slightly slower than the Canadian's time.

The final is going to be unbelievably close. Lets' hope McKeever has saved up enough to take the gold.

So he managed the third quickest time in all of the semi-finals. Let's bag another medal in tomorrow's final then, Ed!

11.22: McKeever is off in his heat! He's away quickly…

11.16: Saul Craviotto qualifies first in the K1 200m, and Canada's Mark de Jonge is in second.

These two look like tough opponents for McKeever if he reaches the final.

11.15: The first semi-final of the K1 kayaks are about to get underway. McKeever will be keeping a close eye on this lot, as they could stand in the way of his gold medal.

11.09: Jess Walker will be back just before midday in her semi-final, and Ed McKeever is out at 11.20. This is where it gets a little serious, as the competition is tougher and the athletes will be going at it hard to secure a favourable lane in the finals.

Through you go: Jess Walker finished in fourth in the qualifying for the K1 200m

11.04: Lutalo Muhammad said after his first round victory in the under-80kgs in the taekwondo.

He said: 'I am just glad to get through, it all came together in the end. The atmosphere is fantastic, and I feel a lot better now I have got my first fight out of the way.

'All the build-up did not matter, it is like any other tournament, and I feel a lot better off now I am through.'

11.02: And Schofield and Heath take second in their heat to the Belarusian duo Raman Piatrushenka and Vadzim Makhneu in the 200m kayak double.

11.00: Lutalo Muhammad takes his bout in the final round. He wins 7-1 after a couple of headshots and is in the quarter-final.

10.58: Up next in the water are Liam Heath and Jon Schofield in the men's kayak double.

That said, the Russia duo of Yuri Postrigay and Alexander Dyachenko – who set a fearsome Olympic best in their heat.

Just about: Lutalo Muhammad (right) makes the quarter-final in the under-80kgs taekwondo

10.55: Back at Eton Dorney, Jess Walker finished fourth in her heat in the K1 200m kayaking. The semi-finals are at 11.51, and Spain's Teresa Portela Rivas, a world champion in 2002 and 2005, will be one to watch. She nailed the heat, winning by half a length.

10.50: And as I type, Muhammad is out. He's taking on Farkhod Negmatov of Tajikstan. Hopefully he can lift the mood in the ExCel after a defeat for Stevenson. 0-0 after round one.

10.48: With a tear in her eye, she said afterwards: 'I am not a quitter and I would never have quit… I have no regrets.

'I am not going to quit… I am going to keep going and have another go hopefully.'

She also said: 'My mum and dad would have wanted me to be here, and they would have been proud.'

Really disappointing for Stevenson after all she's been trhough. Admirable effort, but McPherson's defence was impregnable.

She could fight for a bronze medal if McPherson makes it all the way to the final. But that will be a big ask given that there's a few tough competitors in the latter stages.

10.41: Another shot to the head for McPherson… her coach has appealed it and the score stays at 5-1. Close one.

10.40: Stevenson is back out with two minutes to go. She needs to pull it back to keep the Olympic dream alive.

Out she went: Sarah Stevenson lost to Paige McPherson in the preliminary round of the taekwondo

10.37: The standard is pretty high, and the crowd are stunned as Stevenson is 5-1 down. McPherson is no slouch. Another round to go, and a lot of work to do.

She's two minutes away from bowing out here.

10.35: Not the best start as Stevenson takes a head-shot straight away from the American. 0-3. The end of round one.

10.31: That roar from the crowd can only mean one thing, Sarah Stevenson is heading to the mat at the ExCel. She's facing Paige McPherson of the USA. Bring it on!

10.30: Sarah Stevenson is about to compete. She's coming off the back of a really tough year after the loss of both her parents in 2011.

She's going for gold in honour of her mother and father, and we're all behind her.

She won the first ever British Olympic medal in taekwondo back in Beijing with a bronze. Let's hope she can go one (or two) better.

10.25: Aaron Cook has spoken of his pain at being overlooked for selection for the Olympics instead of Lutalo Muhammad.

He told the BBC: 'I am really looking forward to Rio 2016 and all my training will be based around that. Hopefully, the four years will fly by.

'There is nothing more I want to do than win a gold medal for my country.

'It does not mean I will re-join the Great Britain academy though. I have showed I am doing the right thing for me, and I need to keep doing that.

'I still feel the same; I should have been there fighting. I was in pieces this morning thinking I should have been competing today.'

10.20: Was great to see David Rudisha of Kenya take gold and break his own world record last night at Olympic Park.

Such an unsung hero considering how exciting a race the 800m has always been, and just how good Rudisha is at it!

10.17: We're back in the kayaks in a moment at Eton Dorney after the canoeing. Jess Walker is up in the second heat for Team GB in the women's K1 200m.

10.14: In terms of the taekwondo, the first preliminary rounds are underway, but we're yet to see either of the Team GB competitors. Stevenson will be out imminently though I'm told.

10.11: Lutalo Muhammad said he received hate mail after his selection for the Games. Really shocking to see, especially considering he didn't select himself AND the young man is a strong medal contender.

More medal hopes: Team GB's Luke Campbell hopes to guarantee himself at least a silver medal later in his boxing semi-final

Good for him that he just wants to get on that podium for Great Britain.

He told the BBC: 'A lot of the stuff that I received I don't want to even repeat, it was quite hurtful.'

'A lot of people didn't appreciate that I've had a good Europeans and all I've tried to do is perform to the best of my ability.

'When people start sending you hate mail and calling you names I think it's quite childish, but I'm trying to forget about that and focus on London 2012 and getting on the top of the podium.'

10.05: So Jeffries is through to the semi-finals. But a surprise exit is world and European champion Valentin Demyanenko of Azerbaijan. It can't hurt the young Briton's medal chances, but there's still a lot of canoeists in there who are looking unbelievably strong.

10.02: So Daley and Pete Waterfield missed out in the synchro diving, but can the 18-year-old triumph in the individual event

He's got stiff competition with the Chinese and Russia's Ilya Zakharov. A tough field to say the least.

09.50: A lot of pressure on Muhammad in the taekwondo here. Cook is an outstanding fighter, and would be a medal contender without doubt.

Also the selectors will be feeling the heat ahead of this one.

First up, it's Sarah Stevenson – she'll be hitting the mat in around 10 minutes.

09.45: Spain's Saul Craviotto has won the most recent heat, but again, most qualify in these preliminary stages.

It is another great day out there on the lake.

09.44: The kayaking athletes look in exceptional shape. They are so top-heavy in lieu of their remarkable upper body power.

The races are over in seconds, and it's quite a sight to see one man powering a small boat that quickly with just one paddle!

09.40: A weather update from Eton Dorney… and it's better news. The wind is up, AND it's sunny!

Patience and Blithell are definitely on the podium no matter what in their race. It's just whether they can better the silver they've already secured.

09.37: McKeever powers into the lead ahead of Marko Novakovic of Serbia.

Barely busting a gut, but there are more races to come this morning – including the vital semi-final, where a good race will give him a preferable lane in the finals.

No sweat.

09.33: McKeever is up in a few moments. He's a quick starter, and the best in the world at the K1 200m. Watch this space folks.

Raw power: Tim Hornsby hit the water in the canoe sprint K1 200m

Usain Bolt of the lake Ed McKeever hit Dorney Lake in his bid to win the gold

Although it is a display of power, McKeever is a tad slighter than the other competitors… Whatever works!

09.31: The first heat is easily won by Canadian Mark de Jonge. Immense upper body strength powers him through to the semi-finals.

But qualification isn't too tough here. You have to finish in around last place (depending on time) to fail to qualify.

09.30: But first on the water is the men's K1 200m heats. No GB representatives but this is a real showing of brute force.

09.24: Ed McKeever is a real medal hope for Team GB. Labelled the 'Usain Bolt on the water,' he's one to keep an eye on today as he hits Dorney Lake at 09.37. He has finished on the podium in every international event he has competed in a kayak since 2010.

09.19: Shanaze Reade crashed out at the previous Olympics in Beijing after a win-or-bust move backfired and she crashed out in the final.

The BMX racer scuppered a medal there, but she's a real hope for Britain this year. Older and wiser can't hurt can it

09.15: Among the GB hopefuls are Ed McKeever who starts his bid for gold in the men's kayak, when he goes in his heat at 09.37, Richard Jefferies (men's canoe single), Jess Walker (women's canoe single) and Liam Heath and Jon Schofield (men's kayak double) are also on the water.

There's no medals to be won at Dorney Lake just yet though…

09.11: As well as the taekwondo Eton Dorney has some action again with more canoe sprints.

Singles and doubles are in the offing, and Team GB have a few people scattered in there that could feature in the semi-finals later today.

09.06: Nicola Adams has said she wants to be back at the next Games in Rio.

Not satisfied with being the first ever Olympic champion – she wants double gold!

09.02: Like yesterday, the taekwondo athletes – should they progress – will have a couple of hours off before their quarter-final bouts at around 15.00.

In action: Lutalo Muhammad (left) is representing Team GB in the taekwondo under-80kgs

Pretty gruelling schedule for all involved really. Four fights in a day against world class opposition. Muhammad and Stevenson will really have to earn this medal if they are to get one.

08.57: So after smashing the 19 golds earned at Beijing, how many do you think we can rack up by the end of the London Games.

What's so special about this year Are the home crowd carrying our athletes over the line, or are our training programmes better than ever.

It'll also be interesting to see if Aaron Cook will be there. The world No 1 and European champion was at the ExCel yesterday, but he has vowed to stay away today…

08.45: We've also got representatives in another final this evening. It's the men's 4x400m relay final at Olympic Park.

Martin Rooney, Jack Green and Co will have to pull out a personal best and a half to beat the likes of the USA and the Jamaicans, but it is one of the great Games spectacles regardless of who takes it.

08.40: And I almost forgot. Team GB's women take on New Zealand in the bronze medal hockey match after their deflating defeat to Argentina.

Really hoping they pick up the third place, they've been fantastic throughout.

08.37: So I've gone 37 minutes without talking about the big one… the 200m final.

Unbelievable scenes last night which saw a one, two and three of Jamaican runners.

Bolt winning was hardly a surprise, neither was his sidekick and consistent runner-up Yohan Blake. But it was great to see the young Warren Weir coming in third.

I'm sure the Jamaicans – whoever is selected – will be pretty confident in the relays…

08.30: And to iron out that bit of international bias, we'll drop in some international news.

The millionaire NBA players assemble again to represent the USA as they face Argentina in the semi-finals tonight.

They'll be out for revenge though, as the South Americans beat them in Athens on their way to a surprising gold medal.

08.25: A couple of other unmissables today. It's the women's 1500m final, and Team GB boast the presence of two athletes in the medal race.

Laura Weightman, coached by Steve Cram, and Lisa Dobriskey have a chance of another gold. They'll be on track at 20.55.

It's the final day of BMX circuit racing and Shanaze Reade will be looking to progress through her semi-final.

Liam Phillips earned his spot in the men's semis yesterday in a day of heats which looked like it had come straight from the Whacky Races cartoon. Definitely one to watch.

Both semis are after 15.00, and the medal races take place later today at gone 16.30.

08.20: There's a couple more medals to be won on the water, with Luke Patience and Stuart Blithell going for gold in the men's 470 sailing, and Saskia Clark and Hannah Mills in the women's medal race.

Patience and Blithell's race was postponed yesterday due to a lack of wind! Must have been an agonising wait, but hopefully they can snatch gold from the Australian duo.

Bid for gold: Shanaze Reade will be riding today, hoping to reach the final of the women's BMX racing

08.15: There's even more taekwondo too. Sarah Stevenson is in action in the women's under-67kgs. So too is Lutalo Muhammad in the under-80kgs.

Muhammad's selection of course was enshrouded in controversy after world No 1 Aaron Cook was overlooked in his place… No pressure the, Lutalo.

She moved from 8-1 up to 11-1 with one kick as she landed one on the head of the Serbian. She sees out the fight from there. 15-1. A dream start.

A real chance for a medal here. It's easy to tell why her nickname is the 'Headhunter' at her training camp in Manchester.

10.40: Jones storms ahead in the second round. A head shot catapults her into the lead in the taekwondo bout, and she's 7-1 up at the end of the second round. All she has to do is see this one out now. One round to go.

10.39: Cawthorn on her kayak single 500m defeat: 'It just seemed to be over so quick.

'I was probably too far down, so it was too much to come back. I wish I could do it again.

'It is a good stepping stone, but it is so long to wait before I get another bash at it. I was so proud of myself after the semis, but the final was different.'

10.36: It's all square after the first round of three, 1-1.

Jones is up against a dogged opponent in the Serb and she is looking to use her tight technique to progress. This is no formality though, as the first round has just proven.

10.33: Jones and Gladovic are on their way to the taekwondo mat now. Hopefully the 19-year-old can progress with ease against the Serbian.

She's representing Wales too, as the Flint youngster hopes to improve the silver she won at the World Championships last year.

10.28: Back to the ExCel arena. Jade Jones is up next in her bid to reach tonight's finals.

10.24: There seems to be a problem with the winds at Weymouth.

Race officials have said the races could be delayed or postponed until Friday if the light winds don't change.

10.22: A really strong field there for Cawthorn, but she mistimed her surge really. She came out going hell for leather and dropped off.

Unlike her really, as she usually starts slow and finishes well. A bold effort though.

10.16: Unlucky there for Cawthorn. As expected it's Kozak who takes the gold after a dominant race. Ukraine take the silver and South Africa take the bronze.

Cawthorn finishes in sixth after a strong finish that came little to late.

10.14: Cawthorn is on the water, and she will be in the lane next to Kozak.

Could be intimidating for the 23-year-old, or perhaps she can make this work to her advantage.

10.10: GB canoeist Andrew Daniels has tweeted his support to his team-mate Cawthorn. @Daniels_Andrew said: 'Cawthorn starts well but watch out for her world class finish. #london2012'

She's due on pretty soon, hopefully she can power her way on to the podium, but Danuta Kozak from Hungary will be a tough nut to crack.

Danuta Kozak celebrated taking gold after Rachel Cawthorn could only finish in sixth position

10.05: Amazing to see that the Olympic Park is already packed out at near the 80,000 capacity.

Even more impressive considering there is almost no Team GB interest in the decathlon and the women's high jump going on.

Unfortunately there's no Team GB representatives as they failed to qualify last night.

09.56: The Australians take another gold, as Hungary take silver, then the Czech Republic in the bronze position by a whisker. Great race as the Hungarians just miss out on a podium position.

The Australians dominated, but the sprint for second and third was agonisingly close.

09.55: After a false start at the beginning of the men's foursomes kayaking, they are now underway with the Australians in the lead at the half-way mark.

09.51: Chinese Taipei's Li-Cheng Tseng took Thailand's Rangsiya Nisaisom apart in their opening bout of the under-57kgs, winning the fight 4-1 after three rounds.

Justified the reason she's considered one of the strong medal favourites.

09.50: The German pair beat Belarus brothers Andrei and Aleksandr Bogdanovich, who finished strongly, but could only take silver.

09.47: The Germans and the Hungarians are likely to dominate the day at Dorney Lake, but hopefully Cawthorn can break their hold on proceedings.

Up next though is the men's foursomes.

09.43: The men's doubles has finished at Eton Dorney. The German duo of Peter Kretschmer and Kurt Kuschela have taken the gold in the doubles over 1000m.

They really fought through the pain barrier there to fend of the competition.

German gold: Kurt Kuschela
(left) and Peter Kretschmer took the gold in the kayaking men's pairs at Dorney Lake

09.39: Jade Jones isn't on yet in the preliminary rounds of the taekwondo.

She's hoping to do enough in the three two minute rounds against her Serbian opponent to progress.

09.37: Rachel Cawthorn's chance for gold isn't far away now.

The event is a truly gruelling one, but a display of remarkable will and fitness.

Crisp early morning conditions are looking good for the competitors.

She's not on until around 10.15, first is the men's doubles kayak sprint at Eton Dorney.

09.30: Damian Warner clings on to third place on 5,312 points. Hardee is on 5,476 and Eaton on 5,693.

Sticking my neck out (barely), it looks like the gold will be going to North America here. Early days though in day two.

09.27: But it's Trey Hardee who wins it. He records a lifetime best for the American to steal the top points from the second-placed Eaton.

Strengthens his silver medal position. The gold isn't around Eaton's neck just yet, folks – but he is still in with a chance of smashing the 9,000 point barrier, and comfortably in the lead on day two.

09.23: Ashton Eaton and Canada's Damian Warner are up in the final heat in the 110m hurdles. Should be a close one here.

09.17: Heat three of the 110m hurdles in the decathlon have just finished.

Oleksiy Kasyanov takes it with a time of 14.09sec. Great race from the Ukrainian.

Overnight leader, USA's Ashton Eaton, still to race.

09.14: If the women's 200m was anything to go by, tonight's event will be a thriller too.

Allyson Felix took gold with aplomb. She ran with grace and was the best in a field of fantastic athletes.

I know it's almost 12 hours away, but the prospect of Bolt v Blake Part II is exciting me already.

09.10: Meanwhile at Olympic Park the decathlon heats are underway with the 110m hurdles.

A truly demanding event. These guys have to be a master of all trades if they are to get anywhere near the podium.

South African Willem Coertzen has just won his hurdle event with a time of 14.15sec, picking up the maximum points. Needless to say, there are plenty more events he must prove himself in…

09.05: This afternoon sees the bronze medal match in the women's football between France and Canada.

Both will have to dust themselves off after crushing semi-final defeats.

Game of the tournament for me in either men's or women's was Canada's against USA. An absolute thriller. USA came from behind three times before they finally got the winner with the last attack in extra-time.

The men's decathlon 110m hurdles heats are underway, as Japan's Keisuke Ushiro is hoping to catch the likes of Ashton Eaton

The sun shone on the Olympic Park as the spectators piled on to the grounds

Really unlucky for the Canadians, but we'll see how they come back from that later.

09.00: So Olympic Park is already filling up to see an action packed morning in Stratford.

Hopefully, after yesterday brought an end to GB's 10 consecutive days of medal glory, a return to form will see those lucky enough to be there getting their money's worth.

08.55: One of Britain's suprise packages at the Games is hoping to sneak on to the podium tonight. Andrew Osagie is running in the 800m final, and hopes to follow in Lord Sebastian Coe's footsteps and taking gold.

Realistically, he'll be delighted with a medal, whatever the colour.

08.50: What a success women's boxing has been a the Games. Really makes you wonder how it took so long to get it on the programme.

At the next Olympics in Rio we'll be seeing rugby 7s and golf. Not so sure how golf will be played at the Games, or how it will work, but surely will be good to see McIlroy and Co vying for a podium place.

08.45: There's also two of the greatest feats about the get underway at the Olympic Park, as the decathlon and the 4x400m heats take place from 09.00.

First ever Nicola Adams is hoping to be the first ever female Olympic boxing champion this afternoon

08.40: After not winning a sausage yesterday, Payne, Adams and Co are hoping to return Team GB to their medal-winning ways and cement the position in third in the medal table below China and USA.

08.35: Is there any alternative outcome to Usain Bolt defending his 200m championship

Compatriot Blake was touted as a likely candidate to snatch gold from his training partner in the 100m… but we all know who won that one whilst recording a new Olympic record…

08.30: There's also action at Dorney Lake this morning.

Scheduled to start at 10.08, Rachel Cawthorn is vying for gold in the kayak single 500m final.

The Briton set the 10th fastest time in the semi-finals, but vastly improved, coming second fastest in the semis.

She could be a medal contender if she continues to improve, but Hungarian Danuta Kozak is looking good for a gold.

08.26: Most imminently for Team GB is the Taekwondo.

Jade Jones will fight Serbia's Dragana Gladovic this morning in the 57kgs in her bid to reach the final, and Martin Stamper will fight in the men's -69kgs.

The Liverpudlian martial artist will take on Mexico's Erick Osornio Nunez at 10:45.

08.20: Can we win more gold's on horseback to further over-deliver at these Games

Laura Bechtolsheimer, Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester will be mounting up at midday in the individual dressage final.

The trio delivered GB's 20th gold of the London Games in the team event on Tuesday. Dujardin set an Olympic record, and is hoping to be in the mix for yet another medal for Britain in the final of the event.

Cruising: Usain Bolt (centre) eased through his semi-final yesterday, and is bidding to take gold in the 200m final tonight

08.15: We also have athletes trying to take the gold in the water… but this time in the sailing.

Luke Patience and Stuart Bithell are guaranteed a silver medal in the 470 class, but are relying on the dominant Australian duo of Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page slipping up on the final day.

An exciting prospect, but very much the Australians' gold to lose.

They'll be kicking off at 13.00.

08:10: Nicola Adams managed to guarantee herself at least silver yesterday after she beat the impressive Mary Kom in the flyweight boxing.

She faces Ren Cancan of China in a bid to become the first ever women's Olympic champion in the sport.

She'll be in the ring at around 16.30.

08.05: Keri-anne Payne is also finally in action. She's taking part in the 10km marathon in a bid to take Team GB's first swimming gold after a relatively disappointing time in the pool for Britain's athletes at the 2012 Games.

The GB pin-up will be in action at around midday.

08.00: Day 13 is set to be a thriller. We have the other 'big one' this evening in the 200 metres final after Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake progressed with ease through their semi-final.

Better late than never: Keri-anne Payne will be taking part in the 10kn open water swim in a bid to win Team GB's first swimming gold medal